Protection

It had been a month since Sebastian’s release, and Stacy had almost managed to forget about it. Well forget wasn’t the right word, but at least she wasn’t constantly thinking about it. It had been rough: she’d spent the first week constantly on edge, looking over her shoulder with every step she took, never going out at night, practically a wreck. But slowly and surely she’d begun to relax, letting herself think that he’d forgotten her.

And so now, here our heroine was, exactly where we first met her: at work. It was her and Linda again, idly chatting about Linda’s fabulous new boyfriend Pete. Linda was completely smitten with him, apparently every single thing he did was practically perfect. The way he wore his suit, the little jokes he whispered in her ears when they went to clubs, the fact that he still hadn’t made a move on her.

“It’s so cute, he’s like a real gentleman. The other night we went out to this little French restaurant and then he walked me home. And then... he kissed me on the cheek and just went home. Isn’t that cute! I’ve never had a guy who hasn’t tried to rumple my sheets this far into a relationship. Do you think it’s because he’s American?”

Linda giggled like a little schoolgirl, twirling around in a little circle before falling into her seat beside Stacey. There were no customers, so they were taking a chance to relax and chat. Stacey was happy that Linda felt comfortable enough to confide in her, over the past month they’d really become friends. It was weird, Stacy wasn’t used to having friends like Linda, before she’d moved all of her friends had been like her: serious, a little shy. Linda was like a happy, bubbly little breath of fresh air. So Stacey smiled and giggled along with her when they gossiped together, hoping some of it would rub off on her.

“That’s so sweet Linda, I’m really happy for you.”

“I know right! You should totally come out with us, he has some great friends. They all work together and they’re all so sweet and funny!”

“Oh no... I can’t. I’m not very good at the boy-girl thing.”

Stacey bit down on her bottom lip with a sheepish little shrug of her shoulders. It was true, apart from Sebastian she’d never been any good at flirting or boys. The whole concept of it frankly baffled her.

“But you’re so cute! Come on, you never come out with the girls, you’re going to turn into a little hermit. I am going to drag you out by those sexy stiletto heels if I have to. Come on, there’ll be heaps of guys, they’ll buy all the drinks. All you have to do is sit there and smile at them.” Linda grinned at her, tucking a lock of her long raven hair behind her ear and then taking Stacey’s hand into her own.

“Please Stacey? I need someone to tell me that Pete’s a good guy, and all my other friends will be way too busy shoving their tongue down some random guy’s throat to notice either way.”

Stacey couldn’t turn her down, not when Linda was making those sad little pleading eyes at her. Stacey took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and rolling her eyes before giving Linda a shy smile.

“Fine... but I have nothing to wear, you’ll have to let me leave early. And I’m only staying for an hour or two.”

Linda squealed and clapped her hands like an excited little girl.

“Yes! And don’t be silly you can’t leave early, you can just buy a dress from here. Judging from the last seasons Sass and Bide you’re wearing, you haven’t ducked into your staff discount for awhile. Come, let mama Linda take care of you.”

What followed could only be described as a frenzy of shopping. Stacey could now honestly say she knew what it felt like to be a Barbie doll. Linda tugged clothes on and off of her like she was a doll, every now and then standing back and frowning, fingertip to chin as she thought.

“You know... I’m thinking you would look good in blue.”

Sebastian had always loved her in blue, he’d said it made her look pure.

“No. Not blue. Any colour except blue.”

It was silly, infantile really. But ever since... she didn’t wear blue anymore. She didn’t do anything that reminded her of him anymore. She was a whole new person now, that’s what she kept telling herself.

“Okay how do we feel about white?” Linda called out as she paced the length of the store, searching for something for Stacey to wear. She rifled through the racks, pulling things out and then putting them away with a shake of her head. Stacey stalked over to her, feeling slightly ridiculous in nothing but her heels and underwear. Linda had shut the store up, but still... there were windows everywhere.
Finally Linda pulled out a little white dress, examined it and gave it the crucial head nod.

“This, will do. Go, put on, let me see.”

Stacey sighed, taking the dress in her hands and slipped it over her head. There was really no point in going to the dressing room, Linda had already seen all the goods – so to speak. Wiggling into it, she hopped towards the mirror, wiggling it down her hips.

“It’s too small.” She said, staring critically at herself in the mirror. It was definitely too small, skimming her thighs and leaving a whole lot of flesh bared. Other than that though... it really was cute. It was a soft creamy colour, and clung to her curves like a second skin. Thin little straps tugged her breasts skyways, making them look like two scoops of quivering ice cream trying to escape from their bowl.

“It’s not too short, that’s the length dresses are these days. “ Linda corrected her, striding up behind her and tugging the cups that held her breasts a little to rearrange them, her reflection smiling at Stacey’s. “And it’s not too tight, you’ve got these sexy little curves that will make the kids drool.” Stacey rolled her eyes at her reflection. Despite the shortness and the tightness, it was cute. She could wear it once and then bring it back, if all else failed. She fluffed her hair experimentally in the mirror and pouted at herself.

“Fine, I don’t even want to know how much costs, just take it off my employee account.”

“Yes! Oh we are going to have so much fun tonight Stacey!”

-

Linda was right, a few hours later they were having a good time. Pete and his friends had yet to arrive at the club, but her and Linda were nestled in a little corner, sipping mojitos, and Stacey was surprised to say that she really was having fun. It was nice to be able to talk to someone about superficial, gossipy things, to bitch about co-workers and not feel bad.

“So Linda... I’m beginning to think that Pete’s imaginary. I mean it’s eight thirty, I thought they were going to be here at eight?”

“Well their work keeps them busy, but he’ll be here soon, I promise!” Linda was practically glowing with excitement as she spoke of him. Stacey remembered feeling like that about a boy, and hadn’t that turned out well?

“What exactly do they do?”

“Well they...” She trailed off as her eyes fixed on someone moving through the crowd of the dim bar. Stacey turned her head to see what had made Linda so distracted, when she saw a group of five of six men cutting a swathe through the drunken people of the crowd. They were all tall, good looking, and dressed in suits that stood out among the boys in their polo shirts and khakis. “Look! There they are! I told you they’d be here!” Linda crowed, grabbing Stacey’s hand and squeezing it tightly under the table.

And then, Stacey’s world dropped out from under her.

As the men filed towards them, they parted and she saw him. Sebastian Cross, steadily making his way across the room towards her. Her mouth dropped open, and she felt her heart trying to beat a tattoo through her chest. A thousand thoughts raced through her head, but surprisingly the one that stuck was ‘he looks different.’

He was older now, he’d filled out across the shoulders, grown at least a head taller. The floppy hair she used to stroke when they watched movies was cut close to his scalp in a buzz cut and he was wearing a suit. Sebastian hates suits. Her mind went to exit strategies, she had to leave right now. She had to call protection, but first she had to leave.

“Linda, I have to... I’m sorry I have to go, I’ll see you at work.” She stood on legs that couldn’t quite hold her up, and ignoring Linda’s protests she flew as far and as fast as she could. She’d have to walk past him to get out, oh god she’d have to walk past him. She sped up, trying to get past him as fast as she could. So hard was she concentrating on getting past him without him seeing her, she didn’t feel the arm reach out and grab her until it was too late.

“Maddie.”

That one word was enough, she ripped her arm out from his and began to run as fast as she could on her heels. She ran out the door of the club, into the fresh, cold air of the night, her entire body feeling numb. There were no taxis this early, so she’d walk. It wasn’t far to her house. She passed by crowds of people, all of them completely unaware that the entire world was shaking on its axis. And then she heard it, slow determined footsteps following behind her, clipping against the pavement.

“Stop following me!” She called out as she sped up, navigating the slippery ground as fast as she could. Why did she wear these stupid stilettos out tonight? She didn’t want to break into a run again, that would make it real. If she could just make it home she could call protective services and they’d move her. Another new life, another fresh start. She’d have to dye her hair again, make new friends all over again. Just when she’d started to settle in here. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was getting far, far away from Sebastian.

“I will never stop following you. Do you understand Maddie? I will always find you.”

He called out quietly, his voice pitched so that only she would hear it. Every step she took brought her closer to freedom, she’d be fine soon. She repeated these words with each step, trying not to notice that his steps were getting closer, sounding faster.

“I’m not the girl you knew Sebastian, just leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you.”

A hand grabbed her from behind, pulling her arm around, yanking her body flush up around to face him. She tugged her arm, trying to force his grip loose, but he held tight. He stared down at her and just for a second, Stacey saw a flicker of the boy she’d know known, somewhere inside of this stranger, this man who she knew nothing about. But then just as soon as this new tenderness was there, it was gone again. A hard shutter slammed down over his eyes, and Stacey wondered if it was actually possible for a look to bore a hole through someone.

Turning her head to stare at the gravel beneath her feet, the empty beer bottle in the gutter, anywhere but into his eyes. , his free hand lifted to her jaw, fingers clenching around the brittle bone, digging into her soft skin. “Look at me.” He commanded softly. She shook her head, whimpering slightly as tears clung to her eyelashes.

“No.” She whispered, stubbornly closing her eyes to block him out. She felt his fingers clench even tighter around her jaw, pulling her up so that they were practically nose to nose. , though her eyes stayed shut for now. He let out a slight growl of frustration, pulling her back out of the light of the street lamps, towards a darkened alley that stunk of piss and vomit.

“I will wait for you to open your eyes and look at me forever if I have to Maddie. I’ve already waited ten years. That’s sixty months. Two-hundred and fourty weeks. 1825 days. 525600 hours. 2628000 minutes. What’s another five minutes?”

Reluctantly her eyes opened, flickering to his face.

“I’ll scream.” She threatened, staring at the buttons of his shirt and regretting everything that had led to this moment. Making friends with Linda, allowing herself to relax and to think that he wouldn’t find her here, that he wouldn’t came after her. He’s screamed across the courtroom as they’d dragged him off, he’d screamed that he would find her. And now he had. “I’ll scream and yell rape, and they’ll put you back in jail and you’ll never get out!” There, she’d sounded strong. Her voice hadn’t even shook... much.

“Maddie, darling. I want you to listen to me very carefully, alright? Now my associate is very fond of his lovely new girlfriend Linda. But if I say one word, he will slit her pretty little throat and spill blood all over her nice dress. Now, are you sure you want to scream?”